MA H1117

Establishes the Midwifery Workforce Development Fund to provide education assistance, student loan forgiveness, grants for educational programs, and mental health support for certified professional midwives and certified nurse midwives

Requires all insurance plans (including Group Insurance Commission, Medicaid, and private insurers) to reimburse certified nurse-midwives and certified professional midwives at rates no less than physician payment rates for the same services

Mandates that licensed freestanding birth centers receive reimbursement rates equal to hospital rates for the same services, including a reasonable facility fee with a minimum amount set by the Department of Public Health

Directs the Department of Public Health to establish birth center-specific licensing requirements and facility guidelines within 12 months, and to waive plan review fees for birth centers demonstrating financial hardship within 90 days

Requires participation in the Community Birth Data Registry within 18 months to track outcomes for births planned at homes, birth centers, or non-hospital locations, with protections prohibiting use of individual data for licensing investigations or discipline